Courageous Persuaders Video Competition Awards Celebration Tickets Available

TROY, Mich., April 26, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- The Detroit Auto Dealers Association (DADA) Education Foundation announced today that tickets are available for the 2012 Courageous Persuaders Video Competition Awards Celebration. Bob Shuman, DADA president, made the announcement. Shuman also announced the new venue for the Celebration, which will be held on Tuesday, May 15, 2012 at the Marriott Centerpoint Hotel in Auburn Hills, Mich.

Tickets for the event, which is open to the public, are $20 for adults and $15 for 18 and under, and can be purchased via the Courageous Persuaders Web site, courageouspersuaders.com, or by calling the DADA at 248-643-0250. Noted Fox2 Detroit television personality Huel Perkins will serve as the Co-Master of Ceremonies again this year, along with Shuman. A number of Michigan notables and business executives will also be making award presentations, including Secretary of State Ruth Johnson.

"This year's celebration promises to be the best yet," said Shuman.  "With our new venue, and tremendous support from our program sponsors and supporters, we hope to increase the visibility of this tragic problem that impacts our young people."

Courageous Persuaders is a competition-based scholarship program that invites high school students to create a 30-second television commercial about the dangers of underage drinking. The commercials are targeted toward middle school-aged children, with the winning entries aired on television and via streaming video on courageouspersuaders.com. The Michigan Department of State, led by Secretary of State Ruth Johnson, will also show the winning commercials in select Michigan Secretary of State (SOS) branch offices.

This year, Courageous Persuaders will give away over $18,000 in scholarships and awards at the annual Academy Awards-style celebration. Additionally, State Farm, a long-time partner, will feature its driving simulator that gives participants the experience of driving drunk...an experience that will make them realize the real dangers involved in such activities. State Farm will also provide Community Gift Packs to attendees. This is in addition to the "Fan Favorite" Award, which State Farm will present for the first time this year, along with its traditional scholarship award. State Farm officials encourage Courageous Persuaders fans to vote for their favorite video from among the 60 finalists. To view and vote, simply go to youtube.com/playlist?list=PLEA96C8B0EF3BAED5&feature=plcp, view the video, and vote at courageouspersuaders.com. Voting ends on May 1. The $2,500 Fan Favorite Award goes to the school of the winning video.

The Courageous Persuaders program was created in 2000 by retired Oakland County District Judge Michael A. Martone and John Barczyk, a local retired McCann-Erickson advertising executive.  In 2007, the DADA became the primary sponsor and administrator of the Courageous Persuaders program through its DADA Education Foundation. This year, the competition drew 627 video submissions (1,026 student participants) from 41 states, along with Puerto Rico, Armed Forces Africa, Armed Forces Pacific, and the Canadian Provinces of Ontario and Saskatchewan.

Winning entries are eligible for the following scholarship awards:

• Grand Prize: $3,000
• First Place: $1,500
• Second Place: $1,000
• Third Place: $500

Additionally, special awards are also presented by Courageous Persuaders partners:

• Lindsey Renee Cianciolo Family Memorial Scholarship: $3,000 - two $1,500 Michigan-based scholarship winners
• Detroit Auto Dealers Association (DADA) Award; $2,000
• Adcraft Club of Detroit Award: $2,000 - presented to the commercial that conveyed factual information about the dangers of alcohol use
• Wall Street Journal Award: $2,000 - chosen among the most persuasive commercials, as judged by middle school students
• State Farm: $1,000 - awarded to a Michigan-based entry on the dangers of drinking and driving
• College for Creative Studies Award: $250 - based on the creativity of the commercial
• Wall Street Journal Courageous Leader Award - presented to a special teacher for his or her extraordinary support of the Courageous Persuaders program

Winners are selected after several rounds of judging. A panel from the DADA views the entries and identifies the top 60 finalists during the first round. Those entries are then reviewed by students at middle schools, who complete questionnaires. Results of the questionnaires determine the winners.

To view the 2011 winning commercials or for information about the competition, visit the Web site at CourageousPersuaders.com, or contact Sandy Herp at 248.283.5138 or [email protected].

About the DADA Education Foundation

The mission of the DADA Education Foundation is to promote excellence in education through quality programs and leadership.

About Detroit Auto Dealers Association (DADA)

The DADA was founded in 1907 by 17 local car dealers, and has grown to more than 220 member car and truck dealers who donate their time and resources to a host of community activities. Currently, the DADA members collectively employ more than 16,500 people. Many members participate in the NAIAS, LLC, which is responsible for the production of the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS). To find out more about Detroit Auto Dealers Association, visit dada.org. To find out more about the NAIAS, visit naias.com.

SOURCE DADA Education Foundation